Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)

The MCAT is a standardized multiple-choice exam with an additional writing sample that lasts approximately six hours and administered multiple times between January and September. There is a registration deadline, usually about six weeks.

Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)

The_MCAT places considerable emphasis on problem solving, critical thinking, and writing skills The MCAT is composed of four sections:

Verbal Reasoning—65 questions, 85 minutes
The reading passages are reflective of the social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences, and are not designed to test subject matter, but rather your reading comprehension and critical thinking abilities.

Physical Sciences—77 questions, 100 minutes
This section contains multiple-choice questions and brief informational passages assessing basic knowledge in general chemistry and physics. It is the application of knowledge and the solution of the science problems that is tested.

Biological Sciences—77 questions, 100 minutes
This section contains multiple-choice questions and brief informational passages assessing basic knowledge in organic chemistry and biology. It is application of knowledge and the solution of the science problems that is tested.

Writing Sample—2 essays, 60 minutes
Each essay provides a specific topic that allows your expository response in a timed first-draft essay. The Writing Sample is designed to assess your skills in developing a central idea, synthesizing concepts and ideas, presenting ideas cohesively and logically, and writing clearly, following accepted practices of grammar, syntax, and punctuation consistent with timed, first-draft essays.

The tests in Verbal Reasoning, Physical Sciences, and Biological Sciences are scored on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 15 (highest) and based on the number of questions you answer correctly. The Writing Sample is scored on a scale of J (lowest) through T (highest).